5 days/4 nights
Discover the highlights of Turkmenistan on this 5-day adventure through Ashgabat, the Karakum Desert, and Ancient Merv. See the famous Darvaza “Door to Hell” crater, rich cultural landmarks, museums, and unforgettable desert experiences.
Ashgabat
Ashgabat
❖ Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, we will go through and follow all immigration and medical procedures. After this, a local guide will accompany to your hotel
❖We start our day with amazing city tours ofAshgabat
− Monument of Neutrality, Independence Monument, Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel ever made, Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park Complex, Nisa -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. (UNESCO), National Carpet Museum. (The Guinness Book of Records), State National Museum of History & Ethnography.
− You may visit other Ashgabat attractions the rest of the day.
▪ Meals included:
▪ Breakfast (At the hotel)
▪ Lunch and dinner at local restaurants
❖ Morning: Drive to the Desert
• Meet your guide and driver at your hotel in Ashgabat.
• Begin the 4-hour drive north into the Karakum Desert via a comfortable 4×4. The journey offers a glimpse of the vast, empty desert landscape.
❖ Afternoon: Desert Exploration
• Enjoy a picnic lunch en route.
• Stop to visit the two smaller, less-known craters in the area: the “mud crater” and the “water crater.”
❖ Evening: The Darvaza Gas Crater & Overnight Stay
• Arrive at the main Darvaza Gas Crater. Your camp (yurts or tents) will be ready.
• Sunset: Watch the crater’s flames grow more intense as the sun sets. Walk around the perimeter for photos.
• Dinner: Enjoy a campfire dinner, often with shashlik, under a sky full of stars and the glow of the crater.
• Overnight: Sleep in a traditional yurt or tent at the camp. Basic bathroom facilities are available.
❖ Morning: After breakfast at your camp, we’ll return to Ashgabat. Your tour guide will bring you to the hotel so you can get some rest and prepare for this afternoon’s Mary Trip.
❖ Afternoon: After lunch at a local restaurant, we will depart the capital (the “White City”) for the
• Ancient Merv excursion. The trip by car from Ashgabat to Mary is approximately 370 kilometers and takes around 4 hours. Enjoy the drive with restful music, stopping to take photos in small villages along the way.
❖ Late Afternoon: Arrive in Mary, a major city in the south of Turkmenistan. Check into your hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.
❖ Morning: After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to explore Ancient Merv. The UNESCO The World Heritage site of Ancient Merv is one of the most significant archaeological complexes in Central Asia. Your tour will include:
− Erk Gala: The oldest fortress of Merv.
− Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum:
− A magnificent 12th-century structure.
− Greater and Lesser Kyz Gala:
− Impressive mud-brick fortresses.
❖ Afternoon: Following lunch at a local cafe, we will return to Ashgabat. Our first stop is the impressive Gypjak Mosque. Later, we’ll dive into the heart of local life at the Gulustan Bazaar, where you can see what locals buy and sell, and find authentic Turkmen handicrafts and souvenirs like beautiful “Turkmen Carpets” and the distinctive “Silkme Telpek” hat.
❖ Evening: We’ll conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant, before embarking on a fascinating night tour to see the city’s illuminated landmarks.
❖ Morning: After a final breakfast, a later check-out, your guide will accompany you to the Ashgabat International Airport for your departure. This will conclude your tour with us. We wish you a pleasant journey home.
